The NFL's final four is set, with the 49ers joining the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. Peyton Manning and the Broncos also booked a matchup with Tom Brady and the Patriots.

These are great matchups, even if you wanted to see the Panthers in the championship round. But just think, there are some positives to San Francisco beating Carolina, aka Giants West, in the divisional round of the playoffs.

See for yourself.

1. At this point, Giants fans probably don't remember what dominant linebackers look like. It will be refreshing to see the 49ers. With Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks, it's easily the best linebacking corps in the NFL. All four are better than any linebacker on the Giants or Jets.

2. San Francisco has one player with a Rutgers connection. Right tackle Anthony Davis played for the state university from 2007-09. He also was one of the big recruits that helped turn the Scarlet Knights program around after being born and raised in Piscataway.

3. If you love seeing petulant babies on the sideline, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is your man. His sideline behavior proved once again to be deplorable in Sunday's divisional round.

4. You have to feel for Phil Dawson. The 49ers kicker spent 14 years with the Browns before joining a real NFL franchise last offseason.

5. A sixth Super Bowl victory for the 49ers would move them past the Cowboys to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers for most in NFL history. Anything that can knock the Cowboys down a rung is a win for the rest of civilization.